Manhattan, Kan. – Freshman Candace Rucker converted two free throws with six seconds remaining and Colorado snapped an 11-game road losing streak Wednesday with a 60-58 Big 12 Conference victory over Kansas State.
Colorado (11-13, 5-7 Big 12) swept the regular-season series with Kansas State (16-9, 4-8) for the first time since 2001 and moved one game ahead of the Wildcats for ninth place in the Big 12 standings.
Leading 58-53 with less than a minute remaining, Colorado let Kansas State back in the game after Caley Dow made two free throws and the Wildcats forced a turnover on CU’s next possession.
After Claire Coggins hit a 3-pointer with 18 seconds left, the game was tied at 58-58.
But Colorado rushed back up the court and Jackie McFarland found Rucker on a breakaway before she was fouled.
McFarland finished with a game-high 18 points and nine rebounds to lead Colorado.
Ashley Sweat paced Kansas State with 18 points and Coggins added 17.
NEW MEXICO 77, COLORADO STATE 66 at Albuquerque: New Mexico’s Julie Briody scored a career- high 26 points and the Lobos pulled away from Colorado State late for a victory in a Mountain West Conference game at The Pit.
New Mexico (18-7, 8-4) won its sixth straight game and trails league-leading Brigham Young (17-6, 8-2) by one game. Colorado State (7-17, 2-10) has not won in Albuquerque since 1998. The Rams are in eighth place in the MWC, leading only idle Air Force (4-18, 0-11).
The Lobos led 64-60 with five minutes to play, but New Mexico finished the game on a 13-6 run.
Sara Hunter led CSU with 22 points. Juanise Cornell added 13 points and eight rebounds for the Rams.
Briody, who leads the nation in free-throw shooting, went 7-of-9 from the line and shot 3-of-6 from 3-point range.
Katie Montgomery added 15 points and eight rebounds for the Lobos.
New Mexico, which started conference play with three straight losses, has won eight of its past nine games.
